Early Life and First Marriage
John DeLorean was born in Detroit, Michigan, and became a prominent automotive executive. He studied engineering and later rose through General Motors before founding the DeLorean Motor Company. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Higgins, whom he wed in the late 1950s. The couple had two children, Zachary and Kathryn, before divorcing in 1972.
Elizabeth Higgins DeLorean maintained a relatively private life after the divorce. Public records and biographical sources confirm the marriage ended amicably, with DeLorean focusing on his automotive ventures. The divorce settlement did not attract major media coverage at the time, and Higgins later lived outside the public spotlight. Details about her post-divorce career remain limited in available public sources.
Marriage to Kelly Harmon
Meeting and Engagement
John DeLorean married actress Kelly Harmon in 1973. Harmon, the sister of model and actress Mark Harmon, was known for her work in television commercials and entertainment. The couple met through mutual social circles in Los Angeles during the height of DeLorean's fame in the automotive industry.
The marriage lasted only a few years and ended in divorce in 1976. Reports indicate the separation was due to conflicting schedules and personal differences rather than public controversy. Both DeLorean and Harmon continued their respective careers in business and entertainment after the divorce. No children were born from this marriage.
Third Marriage to Cristina Ferrare
Wedding and Family Life
DeLorean married model and actress Cristina Ferrare in 1979. The couple had one daughter, Kathryn Ann DeLorean, and Ferrare became a stepmother to DeLorean's earlier children. Their marriage was widely covered in lifestyle and entertainment media during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The marriage ended in divorce in 1985 amid DeLorean's legal and financial troubles. Ferrare later discussed the challenges of the separation in interviews, noting the impact of the DeLorean Motor Company collapse on their family. She continued her career in modeling and television after the divorce. Public records confirm no further marriages for DeLorean before his death.
Later Life and Legacy
Business and Legal Challenges
John DeLorean faced significant legal issues in the early 1980s, including a widely publicized drug trafficking trial. He was acquitted in 1984, but the legal battles contributed to the decline of his business empire. The DeLorean Motor Company ceased production, and the company's assets were sold.
DeLorean's personal life, including his marriages, remained a subject of public interest throughout his later years. Biographies and documentaries have examined his marriages to Higgins, Harmon, and Ferrare in detail. For more information on DeLorean's life and legacy, you can visit the Forbes profile page. Additional details about the DeLorean Motor Company are available on the Tesla historical timeline page.
Final Years
John DeLorean died in 2005 in New Jersey. His marriages and family life are documented in public records, court filings, and published biographies. The DeLorean brand has experienced a revival in recent years, with new ventures referencing the original company's history. For verified details on DeLorean's personal and business history, the SEC filings archive provides additional corporate records.